BASEBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 78, 3 April 1939, Page 17

BASEBALL.

PIONEERS 1939 CHAMPIONS. The final game of - baseball for the season produced the best play of the year. Pioneers got home with the Major League title after a close and exciting game with Johns Giants, the final score being: Pioneers, 7; Johns 3. Fielding on both sides was keen, and a skied ball meant the downfall of the hitter. Rowe made a brilliant catch on the outfield. Coming to the last innings Pioneers led by 5 to 3. They secured two runs by working the bases between hits. Then Carney opened the last innings of Johns to try and make up a deficit of four. He was sent for a walk to the first base, Nicholls followed, and was caught out in the foul area by Beaugartner when running under the ball. Carney tried to make the third base, and Lamb, quickly sending the ball to the baseman, he tapped the Johns pitcher out. It was now left to Sterling to stop the rot. He missed two hits, and then connected, but did not hit hard enough and the ball beat hkn to the base, and the side was out for a total of three. Lamb was pitching rvell for Pioneers, and to him much of the credit must be given for the win. Also Beecher, who was catching for ifhe losers, gave a great exhibition behind the batter. Guns were scored by Purdie (home run). Lamb (2), Swift, Black, Doust and Bell for Pioneers, wnile Luckle, Wallace and Beaugartner sot home for Johns. Mr. D. Buck was referee. Training College 15, beat Y.M.OA. 5.